South Dakota Road Trip

A South Dakota Road Trip is a great way to explore the beauty of the region. This 1655 km route takes you from Rapid City to Custer, Faith, Mobridge, Pierre, and Interior, and back again to Rapid City. The best time to drive is during the summer months when the weather is mild and the landscapes are lush. Along the way, you'll be treated to picturesque views of rolling hills, lush meadows, and wide open spaces. The roads are in good condition, making it suitable for every driver. This 12-day road trip can be managed with a moderate budget, and you'll be rewarded with a high level of experience and memories.

Rapid City, located in South Dakota, is the perfect starting point for the South Dakota Road Trip. This vibrant city has plenty of attractions and activities to keep you busy. From the Museum of Geology to Dinosaur Park, the city has something for everyone. For those who prefer the outdoors, a visit to the Reptile Gardens is a must. Here, you can explore a wide variety of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles. If you're looking for a more thrilling experience, head to Rushmore Tramway Adventures, where you can explore the Black Hills by air. The closest international airport to Rapid City is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). Car rentals are available at the airport, making it easy to start your South Dakota Road Trip. Rapid City is the perfect starting point for exploring the Black Hills region. Here, you can explore the unique culture, history, and attractions of the area. Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway or an exciting adventure, Rapid City is the perfect place to start your South Dakota Road Trip.

Take a road trip from Rapid City to Custer, and explore the 84 miles of breathtaking scenery and historical sites in between. Start your journey at Wind Cave National Park, where you can explore the world's fourth-longest cave, watch a bison herd, and even take a horseback ride. As you drive through the Black Hills, take in the picturesque landscapes and be sure to look out for historical sites like the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. With a drive time of fewer than three hours, you'll be in Custer before you know it. Along the way, make sure to take advantage of the many attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites available in the Itinerary of this stage. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a thrilling adventure, this road trip is sure to provide you with plenty of memories to last a lifetime.

Embark on an unforgettable road trip starting in Custer, United States, and leading through the majestic Black Hills and historical Deadwood. Enjoy a journey of 134 miles and fewer than 3 hours of driving, and discover the most interesting places these locations have to offer. Start by exploring the Black Hills, a beautiful and unique region of pine-covered mountains and grass-covered hills. Visit the historic sites, such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial, and take in the breathtaking views of the area. Then, head to Deadwood, a charming town with a rich history. Here, you can explore the streets and buildings of the old mining town, visit the local museums, and try your luck at one of the many casinos. Finally, make your way to Devils Tower, a stunning natural formation that stands 867 feet tall. Take some time to admire the unique geology of the area and the incredible views. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please consult the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Welcome road-trippers! Get ready for an amazing drive from Devils Tower to Faith. This stage of your journey will take you through some of the most stunning landscapes of Wyoming. The total distance of this route is 168mi and the estimated driving time is fewer than 3 hours. Start your journey at Devils Tower National Monument and make sure to take a few pictures of this iconic rock formation. Then, continue towards Hulett and take a break at the Hulett Museum and Visitor Center. Here, you can learn more about the history of the area. Continue your drive and make a stop in Sundance. Here, you can visit the Crook County Museum and learn about the local culture and heritage. After that, head towards Beulah and explore the Beulah Reservoir. Next, take a break in Moorcroft and visit the Moorcroft Historical Museum. Here, you can learn more about the history of the area. Then, continue towards Aladdin and take a break at the Aladdin General Store. Finally, you will arrive in Faith. Here, you can explore the local attractions such as the Faith Public Library, the Faith City Park, and the Faith Community Center. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

Start your adventure in Faith, United States and take a 113mi drive to Timber Lake. Here you can explore the stunningly beautiful nature of the Black Hills and visit the historic Bear Butte State Park. Continue your journey and head to Mobridge, where you can visit the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and the Sitting Bull Memorial. Along the way, you can also stop at the scenic Lake Oahe, a reservoir on the Missouri River. The drive will take you fewer than 3 hours and you’ll find plenty of attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route. Make sure to check the “Itinerary” section for more information about these. So, buckle up and get ready for your road trip from Faith to Mobridge!

Embark on an exciting road trip from Mobridge to Pierre! This 189mi journey will last fewer than 6 hours and will take you through the amazing sights of Eagle Butte. Start your adventure in Mobridge and visit the beautiful Mobridge City Park and the Mobridge Municipal Golf Course. The next stop is Eagle Butte where you can visit the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Museum and the Cheyenne River Youth Project. After that, your final destination is Pierre. Here you can visit the South Dakota State Capitol and the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center. This is one of the stages of a larger tour and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, don't miss out on this amazing road trip from Mobridge to Pierre and make sure to explore all the interesting places along the way.

Welcome to the Pierre-Chamberlain road trip stage! This stage of your journey will take you on a 100mi, 3-hour drive filled with attractions and scenery. Starting in Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, you can visit the South Dakota State Capitol, the Cultural Heritage Center, and the South Dakota State Historical Society. Visit the Oahe Dam and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail for a unique outdoor experience. Next, you’ll arrive in Chamberlain. Here, you can explore the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and the Chamberlain Fish Hatchery. This is just one stage of your larger tour, and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Welcome to the Chamberlain-Interior road trip stage! This 145mi journey will take you less than 3 hours to complete, and is part of a larger tour. Start your journey in Chamberlain, home of the famous Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center. Here, you can explore the rich history of the Lakota people through interactive exhibits and displays. Continue your journey towards Interior, where you can visit the Badlands National Park. This incredible park is filled with rugged cliffs, steep canyons, and otherworldly rock formations. For a unique experience, visit the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. Here, you can explore the Cold War history of the United States and learn about the Minuteman Missile System. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please consult the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your trip!

Embark on an amazing road trip through the heart of the Badlands of South Dakota! Starting from Interior, you'll have a 95 mile drive ahead of you, taking no more than 2 hours. Along the way you'll be able to explore the wonders of Badlands National Park and the town of Wall. Badlands National Park offers a unique landscape of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires, created by millions of years of erosion. There are also plenty of historical sites to explore, including the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. Wall is a small town with a variety of attractions, including the world famous Wall Drug Store. Finally, end your journey in Rapid City, where you'll find plenty of attractions and accommodations. As you travel, take some time to enjoy the breathtaking views and take in the unique history of the area. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants and campsites along the route, check out the Itinerary of this stage.

Rapid City, the second-largest city in South Dakota, is the perfect ending point for your South Dakota Road Trip. Located close to the Black Hills and Badlands National Park, Rapid City offers a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors. Drive through the scenic Needles Highway to explore the unique rock formations, or visit the world-renowned Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where you can snap a picture of the four presidents carved into the mountainside. After a day of sightseeing, spend the evening in downtown Rapid City, where you’ll find a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. If you’re looking for outdoor activities, Rapid City has plenty to offer. Hike through the Black Hills National Forest, explore the Badlands, or take a drive to nearby Custer State Park, home to a variety of wildlife. You can also explore the nearby caves or take a trip to the 1880 Train to ride a historic steam engine. No matter what you’re looking for, Rapid City has something to offer. And when it’s time to head home, the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the closest international airport, making it easy to continue your journey. So end your South Dakota Road Trip in Rapid City, and experience all that this amazing city has to offer.

Feeling inspired? Well, that was our purpose.
The tour we’ve suggested can be used as a template that can be recreated in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with diverse stopovers.
If you are planning on travelling by car in South Dakota, there are a number of important road rules to follow and a list of things to be mindful of to turn your journey into pleasure. These tips will surely become useful for tourists who opt for renting a vehicle or hiring a camper.
There are a number of traffic rules to be kept in mind while on a trip around South Dakota. In South Dakota, if you are planning to drive, try to avoid alcohol at all costs. Travellers ought to remember that the legal alcohol limit is not very high and is only 0.5‰. The maximum speed when driving around the build-up areas is 40km/h. Outside the cities, travellers can travel at at speeds up to 72km/h. When travelling on motorways, you can drive at the maximum speed of 129km/h. We recommend driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit to increase your safety.
How about the costs of the trip? Well, depending on the budget option that interests you, the money that you have to spend on your tour expenses may differ. A wide range of budget options is showed below.
We estimate that the cheapest option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 1,655km across South Dakota can cost roughly 225 EUR. Holidaymakers will have to pay the average of up to 946 EUR for budget overnight stays. Tourists should also take into consideration the fact that they will spend roughly 864 EUR for food and restaurants in this option. If you also choose the budget car hire option, you will pay about 540 EUR. Thus, you can expect the travel expenses to be approximately 2,035 EUR without vehicle rental and 2,575 EUR with vehicle rental.
When it comes to the standard offer, you should be prepared to pay the maximum of 300 EUR on the fuel needed to cover the itinerary. If you are into standard accommodation options, expect that the expenses can amount up to around 1,430 EUR. Travellers can expect that the standard option in terms of restaurants and food will cost around 1,296 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard rental vehicle can expect a cost of approximately 648 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total more or less 3,674 EUR for drivers who would like to try vehicle hire and 3,026 EUR for those who are not interested in renting.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will come up to the expectations of the most demanding tourists. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay approximately 5,584 EUR for the whole tour, whereas those who are not interested in car rental will spend around 4,504 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the road trip in a premium hire vehicle should expect a cost of more or less 1,080 EUR. When it comes to the premium configuration of the road trip, the cost of the gasoline needed to cover all stages around South Dakota is more or less 400 EUR. Holidaymakers who are interested in top services in all aspects of their road trip should expect to pay around 1,728 EUR for food and restaurants and more or less 2,376 EUR for hotels.
South Dakota Road Trip is also an exquisite opportunity for all camper lovers. Tourists have to pay roughly 2,700 EUR for camper hire service. Gasoline to tank a camper for the whole itinerary will cost roughly 450 EUR. Travellers who choose camper rental should expect to pay more or less 660 EUR for accommodation and approximately 864 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs presents all the above expenses in detail.
The part of South Dakota showed in our South Dakota Road Trip is perfect to be visited between May and October. If South Dakota Road Trip has sparked your creativity, there is abundance of picturesque journeys on our website. The broad spectrum of road trips will surely measure up to the expectations of the most demanding drivers.